# NTSB FTW90DRA10: Lockheed PV-2, N7428C, Conroe, TX, September 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1990, 13:26 local (18:26 UTC)
- Place: Conroe, TX
- Location: 30.3534° N, 95.4151° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CONROE/NORTH HOUSTON RGNL (CXO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3534&lon=-95.4151&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRA10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRA10

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE STARTER REMAINED ENGAGED AFTER ENGINE START AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OVERHEAT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - to takeoff
  - engine accessories,engine starter - other (cause)
- Fire, taxi - to takeoff
  - electrical system - overload (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - remedial action - delayed, airport personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAXI TO TAKEOFF THE CREW SENSED AN ODOR SIMILAR TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, AND SMOKE BECAME APPARENT IN THE COCKPIT. BOTH GENERATORS AND THE BATTERY MASTER WERE SECURED. THE RIGHT GENERATOR WOULD NOT ACCEPT A LOAD AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE RIGHT WING ACCESSORY J-BOX IN THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL. THREE OCCUPANTS DEPLANED AND INITIALLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, WHICH REIGNITED DUE TO HOT METAL AND COMPROMISED FUEL/OIL LINES. ALL SYSTEMS WERE SECURED AND THE PILOT THEN EVACUATED THE AIRPLANE, WHICH WAS CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT DID NOT ARRIVE FOR 20-25 MINUTES AFTER THE FIRE BEGAN. FAA INSPECTORS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FIRE SOURCE FROM THE BURNED WRECKAGE. HOWEVER, THE OPERATOR'S REPORT STATED THAT THE RIGHT STARTER SOLENOID DID NOT OPEN AFTER ENGINE START CAUSING THE STARTER TO REMAIN LINKED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS RESULTED IN A SYSTEM OVERLOAD AND SUBSEQUENT ELECTRICAL FIRE. BOTH FUEL AND OIL LINES WERE ROUTED THROUGH THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL FOR COCKPIT INDICATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7428C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7428C-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N 151228 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED PV-2
- Registry model: [Lockheed PV-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-pv-2) (registry code 5260106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 151228
- Airframe hours: 1900
- Engines: P&W R2800-31 2000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Confederate Air Force
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 4, 1990, 5 hours before
- Destination: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Airport: CXO, Montgomery County, runway 19, 4,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: IAH

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900916039859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900916039859A), Sep 16, 1990: Lkheed PV2AIRTDCORP, Conroe, TX, Destroyed. Smoke in cabin on taxi for takeoff. Fire in wheel well. Hung starter overheated buss bar caused fire.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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